Sharks v Dragons: Same 17 for Fitzy; Mbye late call-up
After a week of drama the Dragons dished up an insipid performance against the Warriors while the Sharks had their feet up enjoying a bye.
The Dragons find themselves in danger of collecting the first wooden spoon in the history of the joint venture and need a huge lift in defensive intensity if they hope to contain a potent Sharks unit that averages 26.3 points per game.
After showing signs of improvement in wins over the Roosters and Rabbitohs and a close loss to Penrith, the Red V gave up their biggest score of the season on Friday night and will be doing plenty of soul-searching ahead of a clash against a side that put 40 points on them in Round 4.
A number of Dragons players will be looking to stand up and show incoming coach Shane Flanagan that they have what it takes to be part of a new era at the club.
The Sharks, meanwhile, sit comfortably in fourth position and face only one team above them in the run to the finals, a Round 22 blockbuster against reigning champs Penrith.
With Will Kennedy and Ronaldo Mulitalo boasting 25 tries between them and Nicho Hynes and Siosifa Talakai combining for 23 try assists, the Sharks have the attacking weapons to expose any weakness in the Dragons' defence.
In front of a boisterous home crowd on the Sharks have the opportunity to rack up a big score against an opponent down on confidence and grappling with captain Ben Hunt's request for a release.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Sharks v Dragons
Team News
Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. Coming off the bye they field the same squad that took care of the Bulldogs 48-10 in Round 16. Big man Toby Rudolf had been listed among the reserves as he nears a return from the foot injury that has sidelined him since Round 5 but he dropped out of the extended squad on Wednesday. He is expected to have a run with Newtown in NSW Cup to get some match fitness under his belt.
Dragons: A late change an hour before kick-off with veteran Moses Mbye joining the bench and Talatau Amone dropping out. Centre Moses Suli miss the game after suffering a head knock against the Warriors. His place is taken by Tautau Moga, who makes his third appearance of the season. Ben Murdoch-Masila moves from the bench into the starting side and Jack Bird is out with a knee injury. Zane Musgrove has been omitted. The new faces on the bench are Toby Couchman and Jaiyden Hunt.
Match: Sharks v Dragons
Round 18 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
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Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
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Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse RamienCentre for Dragons is number 3 Tautau Moga
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Centre for Sharks is number 4 Siosifa TalakaiCentre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
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Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo MulitaloWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
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Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Matt MoylanFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Jayden Sullivan
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Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicholas HynesHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
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Prop for Sharks is number 8 Oregon KaufusiProp for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
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Prop for Sharks is number 10 Braden Hamlin-UeleProp for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ben Murdoch-Masila
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2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
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Lock for Sharks is number 13 Dale FinucaneLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
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Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Cameron McInnesInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Michael Molo
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Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Jaiyden Hunt
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Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Wade GrahamInterchange for Dragons is number 19 Moses Mbye
Reserves
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Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Connor TraceyReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Ryan Couchman
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is second in the NRL for line breaks with 21. The Dragons' top line breaker is Mikaele Ravalawa with 12.
- The Sharks have won their past six clashes against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have not won at PointsBet Stadium since 2018.
- Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has scored 20 tries in 20 games at PointsBet Stadium.
- Dragons forward Ben Murdoch-Masila will play his 100th NRL game.
- Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey will make his 100th NRL appearance
Match: Sharks v Dragons
Round 18 -
home Team
Sharks
7th Position
away Team
Dragons
16th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
